To be clear, mushrooms—in their near-infinite variety—have been used for therapeutic and medicinal purposes across cultures and time, from ancient China to 16th-century Mesoamerica. More recently, though, commercial coffee drinks infused with assorted mushroom extracts have become best sellers based on claims they can sharpen focus, support gut health, optimize the immune system, brighten mood, soothe stress and sustain energy—all without the jitteriness many people experience with straight coffee or high-octane energy drinks.
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What Is Mushroom Coffee?
Courtesy Katie Drakeford
Ryze, the mushroom coffee drink I tried out, contains a proprietary mushroom blend called Super6, made from organic cordyceps, reishi, lion’s mane, shiitake, turkey tail and king trumpet mushrooms. Ryze combines its Super6 formula with instant arabica coffee for a powdered drink mix you can prepare hot or cold.
Cordyceps: Animal studies suggest cordyceps may reduce fatigue via changes in energy metabolism.Reishi: Supplementation may reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety—again, according to animal research.Lion’s mane: This mushroom variety may improve memory and focus, a possibility that isn't yet proven.Shiitake: may bolster the body's immune system response, according to animal research studies.Turkey tail: a 2017 review found that this mushroom variety contains prebiotics that nourish good bacteria in the gut, which could support better GI health.King trumpet: contains antioxidants that show promise for reducing oxidative stress and supporting healthy aging.
More studies would be needed to nail down details on human efficacy and dosing. “The coffee blends on store shelves often contain small amounts of these mushrooms, making real effects mild,” Berger says. “So while the science is promising, it’s not magic."
A few other nutrition notes: Per serving, mushroom coffee is often lower in caffeine than traditional coffee. Ryze’s Bright & Smooth blend contains 48 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per serving, roughly half of what you'd get in a typical cup of coffee. “If straight coffee gives you the jitters, messes with your gut or tanks your afternoon energy, mushroom coffee might be your new morning go-to,” Berger explains.
Ryze's powdered drink mix is fortified with a prebiotic blend that delivers 2 grams of fiber per serving. Each 1-tablespoon scoop of mix contains 15 calories and is dairy-free, gluten-free and free of added sugars.
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What People Are Saying About Ryze Mushroom Coffee
Ryze mushroom coffee is sold in both individual bags and kits.Katie Drakeford
Ryze does cost more than the regular coffee you'd brew at home. The standard price of each bag is $36 and gets you 30 servings—about the same number of cups you'd get from a pound of standard coffee beans that would cost half as much. Ryze frequently offers promotions, so you may want to keep an eye out for special deals.
I drank Ryze mushroom coffee each morning for a week to see how it stacked up against my favorite dark roast. Preparing a cup from the instant powdered mix was quick and easy, as it didn't require any brewing. Simply use the included scoop to add one serving to a cup, pour in 6-8 ounces of hot or cold water and stir well. I took notes on both how the coffee tasted and how it made me feel.
Ryze Mushroom Coffee Test: Flavor
I generally drink hot coffee, so for an apples-to-apples comparison, I decided to test Ryze as a hot beverage too. I started with the higher-caffeine Rich & Robust blend, which seemed similar to my usual daily brew.
Day 1: First impressions
Katie Drakeford
The next day, I made another cup of the dark roast. This time, I added some Ryze Pumpkin Spice Superfood Creamer, a limited-edition offering that added a sweet, gently spiced flavor that was quite enjoyable. Though I made sure to stir more vigorously this time, my cup still ended up with a bit of undissolved product on the bottom. On day 3, I tried using a frother to better incorporate the powder—without much improvement.
Days 4–6: Testing the medium roast
Katie Drakeford
Day 7: Comparing creamers
On day seven, I opted to add Ryze's Creamy Vanilla creamer to my cup. This creamer (which, like the coffee mix, is vegan, gluten-free and free of added sugars) was a little disappointing and didn’t add much vanilla flavor. But that's not really a dealbreaker for me: I think this coffee drink would be perfectly tasty with a splash of half and half, which is how I normally take my coffee.
Though my personal experience doesn't equate to a scientific study, I do think Ryze helped me feel more focused at work and supported me in staying on task for longer periods before I needed a little brain break. Despite differences in caffeine content—again, with the Bright & Smooth roast containing about half the caffeine of the Rich & Robust blend—I felt a sense of steady energy and focus with both blends. I'll also say that Ryze mushroom coffee seemed helpful in the digestion and regularity department.
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Final Thoughts on Ryze Mushroom Coffee: My Honest Review
Though Ryze mushroom coffee gave me a sense of focused energy during the day, I'm not sure I'll keep it in my regular beverage rotation. Cost is a consideration, and the drink's potential wellness perks are far from proven. For now, I'll consider Ryze something I can sip from time to time, when I'm in the mood for something a little different.
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Sources:
Bess Berger, RDN, a registered dietitian specializing in women’s health and founder of Nutrition By Bess.Cordyceps: A Review on Its Immune-Stimulatory and Other Biological Potentials, Frontiers in PharmacologyAntidepressant-like effects of a water-soluble extract from the culture medium of Ganoderma lucidum mycelia in rats, BMC Complementary and Alternative MedicineTherapeutic values and nutraceutical properties of shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes): A review, Trends in Food Science & TechnologyA Critical Review on Health Promoting Benefits of Edible Mushrooms through Gut Microbiota, International Journal of Molecular SciencesUnlocking the Power: New Insights into the Anti-Aging Properties of Mushrooms, Journal of FungiHence then, the article about i m a registered dietitian who swapped regular coffee for mushroom coffee for a week here s what happened was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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